Spanish 4

Course Description

In this course students will increase oral and written fluency in the target language through a more intense study of grammar, literature, culture, and history.  The class will be conducted in Spanish.  Students will participate in frequent conversation groups, write compositions, read literary works, and be able to discuss and/ or summarize in the language.  Students will develop cultural awareness of famous Hispanic artists by examining their works. Students will be exposed to Hispanic film shorts and authentic audio clips to develop their listening skills.

Materials

• A three (3)ringed binder with pockets for notes and handouts
• A set of tabbed dividers

--With these items students will create and organize their own texts with vocabulary pages, reference handouts, stories, homework assignments, etc. The student must bring the binder to class every day.

• Pen, Pencil and Eraser

Recommended Items:  Spanish/English dictionary for home use, 3x5 note cards for flashcards, colored markers or pencils for class work.

Attendance

Daily attendance (physically and mentally) is extremely important to your achievement in Spanish class!  If you arrive to class on time and participate, you will build a strong foundation for success.  A majority of class time is spent doing activities together as a group or with partners.  If you miss class, you miss the activity and new information.  The student handbook has an attendance policy that will be followed in this class.

Grading

Grades are calculated each marking period and are a composition of the following categories.  Each marking period is worth 27% of the semester grade.  The final exam for each semester is worth 19%of the semester grade 

Quizzes & Tests = 45% of the total marking period grade.

Tests will be announced ahead of time.  Vocabulary quizzes will be administered in a "Spanish-to-Spanish" format.  It is important to be prepared at all times and consistently review vocabulary that is given out in class.  There will also be oral and listening quizzes that may be unannounced.

Homework = 15% of the total marking period grade

Students will be given frequent homework assignments to reinforce class instruction.  Full credit will be awarded for assignments that are correct, COMPLETE, labeled, on time, and a product of the student’s effort.  NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED!  Please check my website for Homework and assignment postings.

Compositions & Projects = 20% of the total marking period grade

Various compositions will be assigned throughout the year in a variety of formats.  Weblogs will be used as one of the mediums for communication during this course.

Projects will be assigned throughout the course with different and larger responsibilities as the year progresses.  

Participation = 20% of the total marking period grade.

To earn all points in this category, you must arrive to class ON TIME, be prepared, participate and practice in SPANISH, and complete assignments (oral and written). It is expected that all students put forth their best effort to speak Spanish at every opportunity with the instructor and with their peers.

Current grades will be posted in the classroom regularly and can be accessed on Zangle.

Grading Scale

A   = 93-100%                C+ = 79-77                    D-  = 62-60

A-  = 92-90                     C   = 76-73                     E   = 59 and below (failure)

B+ = 89-87                     C-  = 72-70     

B   = 86-83                     D+ = 69-67

B- = 82-80                      D   = 66-63

Make Up Work

Students will have one (1) day to make up work for each day absent.  It is your responsibility to find out what work was missed from classmates BEFORE asking the instructor.  Please remember to: Ask 3 before me! Any handouts or notes you missed will be in the brown folder filed by the corresponding date.  Please check my website for Homework and other assignment postings during your absence. Tests and quizzes need to be made up before or after school.

Extra Help

I am available after school until 3:00 on most days.  Please try to arrange an appointment with me before you come for help.  This is not a time to try to cram in work that you neglected to do before an exam.  The purpose of an after school session is to reinforce a concept that may have given you trouble in class or when you reviewed on your own. 

Academic Integrity

Dishonesty or cheating will not be tolerated in any fashion at any time.  NO CREDIT will be given for any assignment that is copied (the person who allows the copying is as guilty as the copier!!). Plagiarism is copying someone else’s information word-for-word and treating it as your own.  DO NOT cut and paste information word-for-word from the internet into a report or project without giving credit to the source.  This is stealing!

 Using an on-line English-to -Spanish translator for an assignment will result in an AUTOMATIC zero grade.                                                            

Classroom Rules

• Be prepared—please bring required materials to class each day.
• Be punctual—please be on time, sit in your assigned seat, and start daily work.
• Be responsible—please take care of yourself, your belongings and your work.
• Be respectful—please be considerate of other students, staff, and school property NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES are allowed in class.  CELL PHONES BEING USED IN CLASS WILL BE TAKEN AWAY AND TURNED INTO THE FRONT OFFICE.
• Be cooperative—please follow the school policies for using the bathroom, passing, and dress code.  Please do not ask to leave the room to go to your locker or to another teacher’s classroom.

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